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Non-Emirati couples and single women are now allowed to foster children in the UAE, following a landmark ruling.
Fostering children was previously limited to Emirati Muslim married couples and Emirati Muslim women between the ages of 30 and 50.
The amendment to the law means any married couple who are both over the age of 25 can apply to foster a child, regardless of nationality or religion. Women over the age of 30 can also apply to become foster parents, with no upper age limit.
“The amendment to the law on children of unknown parentage, which now extends fostering to non-Muslims, is an exciting development,” said Shabana Saleem, senior family mediator and barrister at Al Tamimi & Co.
“Having personally relied on fertility treatment on my own path to parenthood, this reform resonates deeply as recognition of the atypical journey that many families take to start or grow their family.
“It signals the UAE’s continued commitment to modern, compassionate and inclusive family-building.”
For the first time, many of these children now have the chance to remain in the country they consider home, surrounded by their schools, friends and communities, she added.
“Extending fostering in this way places child welfare at the centre of the legal framework and strengthens the evolving fabric of families across the UAE,” said Ms Saleem.
How have the rules on fostering changed?
Foster parents must be able to prove they can financially support the child. They must also sign an agreement not to change the child’s identity or beliefs.
There is now no upper age limit on single women fostering a child. Now it is available to women of all nationalities in the UAE aged 30 or older.
Previously, children would be immediately removed if foster parents were found to be at fault for any issues. Now a committee will recommend steps to fix the situation, providing the issue is not regarded as serious.
The changes will help to convince more families to relocate to the UAE, said one legal expert.
“In just a few years, the country has updated major parts of its legal system to reflect the reality of a cosmopolitan society,” said Hesham Al Rafei.
“The new fostering changes – allowing expatriate and non-Muslim families to care for children of unknown parentage – are another step in that direction. What deserves more attention is how this directly links to the UAE’s ability to attract top talent.
“Expats and families don’t just relocate for sunshine and salaries. They move for stability and progressive, modern rules. When a country has workable family laws, it becomes far more appealing to high-skilled professionals – doctors, teachers, scientists – who want not only to work here but also to build their lives here.”
Unlike adoption, the child will not have inheritance rights if their foster parents die, and cannot become part of the foster family’s lineage.
However, one Emirati foster mother questioned how much long-term security a child would have with an expat family.
“Expatriates live in the UAE on a temporary basis,” said Narjes Ali. “Their residency depends on employment contracts or permits that may last several years, but their future in the country is never guaranteed.
“Housing is usually rented and long-term stability is uncertain. A child, by contrast, requires a permanent and secure environment, continuous education, adequate health care and valid official documentation.
She added: “Emirati families are supported by the state, which guarantees the child’s rights and future.
“For this reason, I believe it is in the child’s best interest to be fostered by a citizen family rather than expatriates whose residency may not be permanent.”
The%20specs
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
